Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1887-04-21
NEW SCHOOL Law.
A synopsis Prepared by the Author of the
Measure.

A Synopsis Prepared by the Author of the
Measure.
The new school law, the passage Of which
by the late legislature was secured by Terri
torial Superintendent A Sheridan Jones,
provides for a territorial board Of education
consisting Of three members, q president,
vice president and secretary. The territorial
superintendent is president Of the board, and
while not sitting as a board the other two
members are assistants to the superintendent
in the general work of the department The
board OF education are given many powers
and duties, among which are:
The power to prescribe and cause to be en-
forced all rules and regulations necessary for
carrying into effect the school laws OF the ter
ritory. They are given general supervision ana
control Of public instruction In the ter5i.ory;
pleasure such bylaws as may be deemed e&-
pedient for their own ~government, not incon,
sistent with the law. To prescribe all rules and
regulations for holding teachers institutes. 70
provide a course of study for the public
schools not under the independent
the high school. They also have power TO
regulate the courses OF study FOR the territorial
normal schools, though in cases OF the Madison
and SpeaTfish, when a special board OF education
is provided. the territorial board may only exer-
else their authority to the extent Of approving
the course OF study adopted by the special
boards. The territorial board have power TO
select from the private universities, colleges and
academies in the territory, ten institutions in
which special normal instruction shall be given
to classes of teachers for terms OF not less
than ter weeks. Each institution selected
may form a class of not less than ten
nor more than twenty-five. to be taught by q
teacher approved by the board OF education.
They are 70 prescribe the rules of practice before
the educational department on appeals. Ihey
a.ak M Cunaa IN no nraparad all questions
for the examination OF applicants for both ter
ritoriai and county certificates, and prescribe
rules for the conduct of all examinations. They
may, upon examination only, grant o territorial
certificate for ten years, to be known as a pror-
fessional certificate, Applicants for this homo
must possess the highest QUALIFICATIONS
AID must have acquired special merit as MEM
beers OF their profession before their claims can
be considered. They may issue a territorial GER
tifcate 10 graduates OF normal schools OF wels
established reputation upon presentation OF
their diplomas or certificates OF graduation; but
such applicants may be examined at the discre-
tion of the board. The power to grant terrific
rial certificates by normal school boards is aboi-
ished. The territorial board have power 70 re-
woke at any time any certificate issued In the
territory, for any cause which would have been
sufficient grounds for refusing TO issue the same.
had the cause existed, or been KNOWN at the
time 10 was issued.
They are authorized, and 1t is made their duty,
to procure the best plans and specifications Tor
the construction OF school houses. ana 10 Iur.
hkNl ~ HhAlAt w ~ nv
the territory, when needed, free OF charge. In
constructing the plans due attention 70 llght-
ing. heating and ventilation, and the easy main
tenance Of the proper sanitary condition OF the
buildings, is required. They are authorized 70
publish, once in two years, the school laws OF
the territory, with such forms, regulations,
instruct rs and decisions as they may
deemed ~expedient. They are required TO make
a biennial report to the governor on or before
the 18th Of December preceding the regular
session Of the legislature. They are TO provide
.aa ly.a.. q. .EaI .nf0h .rhfnh ~ authenticate their
official acts. They are 70 meet at the ONCE OF
the superintendent of public instruction each
month during the year, for the transaction OF
such duties as deyolye upon the board OF edu-
cation, and special meetings may be held at the
call OF the president of the board.
The superintendent OF public instruction has
not specially made the duty Of the board of edu-
cation, and while not sitting as a board OF edu-
cation the vice president and secretary are TO
assist the superintendent and to co-operate with
him and be generally under his direction.
Each county in the territory having ten or
more resident teachers is entitled to 800 each
year from the territory as an institute fund, be-
side the usual institute fee OF 81 TO De paid by
each applicant. This fund is under the control
of the territorial board OF education.
The annual school election is changed to the
third Tuesday in June, and in all counties oper-
ating under the township school law a polling
place is fixed in each subdistrict OF the town
ship. The present township school board must
meet the last Tuesday in May OF the present
y n hAau NAAINA ia tAS
subdivision and make out and post notices de-
scribing each subdistricti one notice 70
be posted upon the door Of each
each subdistrict are to elect a director, and those
directors are to constitute the township school
board, but there must be no less than three
directors elected in the township. IL there be
but one school or subdistrict in the township,
one director must be elected by that subdistrict,
and two at large. IL there are two schools or
subdistricts, one must be elected oy each, anu
n-a - l,Hf,n - A AAraeHnr nlnafA1 at lnrpn NAV
he a resident Of any part OF the town.
ship. The newly elected board OF directors
must meet on the second Tuesday in July,
which time is fixed as the regular annual meet
ing Of the township board. They will qualify,
elect a chairman and clerk and enter upon the
duties of their Office at that time. The treasurer
board at this meeting, and he also makes his
annual report at this time before the board, one
copy being delivered to the board, one copy
being delivered to the clerk. one copy being
transmitted TO the county superintendent and
one copy being preserved in the treasurers
ofice.
At the coming election on the third Tuesday
of June the voters present,will choose aJudge and
clerk of election. Al subsequent elections the
director in each subdistTict will act as the clerk
only. Ali qualified voters under the general
election laws and all women twenty-one years
of axe and over having the care and custody OF
children OF school age. are qualifi d voters at all
school elections. All qualified voters and all
women over twenty-One years old having the
necessary uunllncatlOns as 10 ElllkenSnlTs arc
eligible to any school Office in the township
The township treasurer is elected at nrge In
the township each year at the time OF the cleo
tton Of the school board. The county supertn-
tendent Is to be elected in June OF each even
numb red year. He is to qualify and enter upon
the duties Of his office on the lst OF October fol-
lowing e%lection; and il thus removed from the
arena Of politics.
The director and patrons of each school select
the teacher, and the director has the Immediate
charge Of the school house and Improvement,
and of making repairs and purchasing supplies,
subject only to general rules to be prescribed by
the township board governing all schools in tho
township alike.
The township tuition fund is to be appor-
toned to the different schools in equal amounts
until the sum apportioned to each school reaches
$3.50 for the year. ANY balance remaining in
the township treasury above this amount is to
be apportioned to the different schools in pro-
portion to the number Of children Of school age
residing in each subdistrtct.
Any subdistrict, by vote OF Its patrons may
levy an additional tax on the property within
II. and have the fund so raised added to its
share Of the township funds, for maintenance OF
better schools, and longer terms than the town
ship funds are capable OF sustaining.
Teachers must attend all teachers Institutes,
and tor refusal to do so their certificates may be
revoked by the county superintendent.
Members OF township school boards are to re-
ceive but 81 per year for their services; clerks
and treasurers may be paid from S15 to sos pc
year for their services by the school board.
County commissioners do not examine the re-
ports OF clerks and treasurers as heretofore.
Township school boards, with the aid of
county superintendent. are to fix the grade of
teachers salaries, regulating them In accordance
with the grades OF certificates held by them {:
First, second and third. This is to be done at
the July meeting. County superintendents
should aid in the matter of grading salaries in
all possible WAYS. The argumen offered that
some teachers with second grade certificates
teach better schools than others holding first
grades. is not Uenable. This condition will not
exist to anv great extent when county supertn-
tendents give all teachers proper credit for then
"aptness TO teach and govern" as the law pro-
vides they shall do.